It shows 36 percent backing the former Massachusetts governor, though more than half of those questioned said they could still change their minds before the state’s Jan. 31 presidential primary.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich followed at 24 percent. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania was third at 16 percent. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul received backing from 10 percent. Texas Gov. Rick Perry had 5 percent and former ambassador Jon Huntsman had 2 percent.

A random telephone survey of 560 voters taken between Jan. 4-8 by Quinnipiac University has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.